Collar stiffener



March 24, 1931. M. M. PATTON COLbAR STIFFENER Filed Sept. 16, 1929 MATTHEW I /7 A7n7/v Inventor A ttorneiq Patented Mar. 24,1931

MATTHEW M. ,IPATTON, or SPOKANE, WASHINGTON COLLAR S'IIFFENER Application filed September 16,1929 s rial no. 392,941;

My present invention relates to .an improved collar stiffener or device for holding or retaining the proper shape for soft collars or semi-starched collars, either attached to or detachable from collar-bands of shirts, and

especially mens shirts. As is well known, the

points or tips of collars of this type quickly bend or curl when the shirt and collar are worn with the result that an unattractive appearance is presented. The primary object of my invention is the provision of a device of this character, used in pairs on the collar, for retaining the points or tips of the collar in their correct laundered shape in order that the wearer may present a well groomed appearance.

The stifiening device comprises a specially constructed pin, (two of which are used on the collar) which is attached at the underside of the point or tip for use, and detached therefrom when it has performed its function. The invention thus consists in certain novel structures and combinations in the stiffening pin and collar as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the-accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are constructed and arranged according to the best mode I have thus far. devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collar showing by dotted lines the utility of the pins.

Figure 2 is a detail view at the inside or underside of acollar tip or point showing the pin in use.

I Figure-3 is a detail view of one of the pins.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of the pin to the layer or lining of the collar to which it is to be attached by penetration of its points.

In order that the utility of the invention may readily be understood I have shown a soft collar C of the fold type having the usual front button holes B and rear buttonhole B, and a pair of the metal stiflening devices are indicated by dotted lines under the two tips 7 and 8, the stiffening devices of course being out ofsight and invisible.

In carrying out my invention I utilize a pair of pins one of which is indicated as 1 and'provided with a blunt point 2. At its upper end thelpin is bifurcated or forked to fornr alaterally offset head comprising prongs 3 and et' with' points 5 and 6, and this forked or bifurcated end or head of the pin is tempered so that the prongs are made resilient. The axial line between the prongs of the head is disposed at approximately a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the pin. Each prong is fashioned with a compound curve so that the diverging prongs may be pressed toward one another by the thumb and finger, and the points or extremities 5 and 6 of the prongs, as shown best in Figure 1, bend away from the pin. Two of the pins are shown by dotted lines in Figure 1 beneath the tips or collar points 7 and 8 and the pins hold the points straight out, but it will be understood that a slight curve may be given the pin 1 to hold the collar tips on a slight curve, Without permitting the tips to sag or crumple or wrinkle.

The blunt point 2 of the pin is made to penetrate the under layer or lining 9 of the collar at 10, near the upper part of the collar,

or adjacent the collar band, and then the pin is passed toward the tip or point of the collar between an outer and inner layer of the material, the blunt point preventing the pin from sticking in either of the two layers adjacent thereto. Preferably the pin is run down parallel with the edge of the point, and it is retained in this position by means of the two spaced anchoring points of penetration 11 and 12 for the forked endof the pm.

By pressing (withthe thumb and finger) toward each other the tines or prongs 3 and 4, with the points 5 and 6 against the material 9, and then releasing the prongs, the resilito Withdraw the points from the slits 11 and 12, and then the pin may readily be Withdrawn through the slit 10. The slits 10, 11 and 12 are mere pin holes that are obliterated when the collar is subsequently Washed and ironed, and as the pin holes are made in the under layer 9 instead of the outer layer, no semblance of inarring can appear on the exterior of the collar. v

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A collar stiiiener comprising a pin having a laterally projecting forked end of resilient material with the axial line of the forked end disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the pin, and diverging points extending-laterally of the forked end, a

In testimonglxhereof I affix my signature.

TTHEW M. PATTON. 

